The stats help to a certain extent, but at the end of the day you need to get on the pitch and write the history of that game.

Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo

Chelsea have the weight of history on their side ahead of tomorrow’s semi-final against Tottenham.

For starters, Di Matteo won the competition twice, scoring in both finals, and has never lost to Spurs as a player or manager.

And the team he sends out at Wembley will be packed with players who have already lifted the famous old trophy, too.

Caretaker boss Di Matteo said: “The stats help to a certain extent, but at the end of the day you need to get on the pitch and write the history of that game.

“It’s a new chapter. You look at the stats and it’s nice, but that’s in the past.

“We have to look to the present and the future and try to change that. We have a good history in it. It’s a ­domestic trophy, and a tradition-rich trophy, well known all over the world. It’s prestigious to be able to win it.

“It’s not about me. It’s about this group of players, Chelsea Football Club.

“This group of boys have won the FA Cup many times themselves.

“They like playing at Wembley, and have done so many times with their club and the national team. It’s a special place to play.”

The big games are coming thick and fast for the Blues.

After tomorrow’s semi-final, it is all eyes on their Champions League last-four date with holders Barcelona on Wednesday at Stamford Bridge.

But Di Matteo insists the first-leg clash with the Spanish giants won’t be a distraction for him or his players at Wembley.

He said: “No, it won’t be. This is a massive game for the players, the team and for the club, and for our supporters. A big, big game for us. Nobody will have Barcelona at the back of their minds.

“We are going to be focused on the FA Cup, to try and reach the final.

“I will look at the team for Sunday and only think about what’s best to win that game.

“This is a decisive game. We are in good form. We’ve been getting some good results, and the players are confident.”

After a turbulent seven months under former boss Andre Villas-Boas, few would have predicted Chelsea would still be in the hunt for two trophies.

But Di Matteo has revived the Blues’ season and steered them tantalisingly close to a cup double and kept their top-four hopes alive.

Di Matteo added: “We have two opportunities to win a trophy and we’ll try to win them both.

“That’s our aim, it’s what we’re working for.

They’ll both be difficult to win, but that’s the challenge we face. We’re all ready for the challenge.”